NZ cricketers consider leaving ICL

The Kiwi cricketers contracted with the rebel cricket league - ICL, were told that they would be offered a lease from their contracts if they were to request for their release. This move would enable the rebel Kiwis to resume their duties with their national side. The ICL contracted players recently received an e-mail from their organizers stating the option.

As per this, the players are allowed to immediately join their national team in case of a contract termination with ICL. The ICL's head of Business, Himanshu Mody would be visiting Australia to meet the celebrated commentator Tony Greig, who is also the executive board member of the ICL.

The list of New Zealand players contracted with ICL include Andre Adams, Shane Bond, Lou Vincent, Nathan Astle, Chris Harris, Craig McMillan and Daryl Tuffey. Amongst them, Bond has always had the pressure of former Kiwi cricketers trying to get him back to the New Zealand team. On the other hand, Tuffey has shown keen interest to return to the National side.

Former Kiwi Pacer and commentator Simon Doull said "Daryl Tuffey is certainly good enough to play test cricket for New Zealand again, If you look at the reasons he was left out of the side a few years back, it was because of a lack of confidence".

Justin Vaughan, the CEO of New Zealand cricket said that the national side would be eager to have these ICL cricketers back. He commented "We wouldn't stand in the way of any players returning to the Black Caps if they aren't tied to the ICL. We've made it pretty clear from the start that while we can't select players for New Zealand who are contracted to the ICL, if they end their ties with the league they would be immediately reconsidered for the national side".

Justin Vaughan said that it would depend upon the players if they wished to return. He said "You want your national team to include the very best players and I think it's quite clear we haven't been able to do that in recent times".

Subash Chandra, the owner of ICL, assured that the tournament slated for October would not be affected even if the rebel Kiwis opt for the termination of their contract.

Former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq Friday lashed out at Pakistan for making a U-turn on selecting cricketers from an unrecognised Indian league and succumbing to "pressure."
Pakistan selectors Monday named three rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) players -- Abdul Razzaq, Rana Naved-ul Hasan and Imran Nazir -- in a preliminary 30-man squad for the T20 WC in England in June.

Pakistan's banned fast bowler Rana Naved has asked the PCB for a central contract before he snaps ties with the rebel Indian Cricket League.
Naved said he was keen to play for the countries but wanted some kind of an assurance from the PCB once he left the ICL.

Even after snapping ties with the Indian Cricket League, 'rebel' players would have to cool their heels for about 6-12 months before they can return to international cricket, according to a PCB official.
Pakistan Cricket Board chief operating officer Saleem Altaf said the International Cricket Council was considering a 'cooling period' for players who part ways with unrecognised tournaments like ICL before they can return to international cricket action.

Pakistan will not field rebel cricketers until it receives clarification on the status of their contracts in India and a decision by the sport's governing body, an official said Tuesday.
National selectors had included three players from the unrecognised Indian Cricket League (ICL) in the preliminary 30-man squad for the T20 WC championships, subject to clearance from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council.

Pakistan's Abdul Razzaq has gone ahead and made a claim that the Indian Cricket League (ICL) has terminated the contracts of all Pakistani players and would issue 'No Objection Certificates' (NOCs) this week to enable them to play elsewhere, including for the national team.
"In the next two or three days we will have the NOCs in our hands and will be able to submit it to the Pakistan Cricket Board," Razzaq said.